Slot can give Curtis Jones one chance to save his Liverpool career but he might not want to take it - opinion
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Curtis Jones has played a big part in Liverpool’s three-game revival this April, but it may not be enough to keep him at Anfield next season.The Scouser has started wins over Everton and Crystal Palace at right-back, impressing with his comfort on the ball and ability to carry Liverpool up the pitch.The fact that Jones is excelling at full-back is made all the more intriguing by the uncertainty surrounding the position heading into this summer’s transfer market.Liverpool have been linked with Denzel Dumfries of late, but the signs have been there of late that Jones could be the right-back answer they have been looking for all along. As his Reds career comes to a pivotal crossroads at the end of the season, Liverpool need to have a conversation with Jones about whether he could convert permanently to right-back.
Who was the best performer in a nervy win against Crystal Palace? 👀 Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images Jones could be Liverpool’s new right-backIf you asked Jones, he would likely tell you that he deserves a regular place in Liverpool’s midfield. The 25-year-old’s self-confidence has always been a feature of his personality, and his football.Nevertheless, neither Jurgen Klopp nor Arne Slot have agreed with him on that, and with one year left on his contract and rumours of a move to Inter Milan, Aston Villa or Tottenham, this summer feels like the right time for Jones to seek a starting berth elsewhere.That is unless Liverpool can sit him down and convince him that he will get the minutes he wants, and can still be a creative fulcrum of the team, from right-back.READ MORE: Fabrizio Romano pinpoints the last time Liverpool spoke to Xabi Alonso about becoming managerPhoto by Paul ELLIS / AFP via Getty ImagesRewind three years or so, and there was a long debate about whether Trent Alexander-Arnold would move into midfield for Liverpool.
Jones could do the same.While it may not be ideal for a player who came through the Liverpool academy as a forward, moving back and accepting a new role could be beneficial for Jones, and for the Reds.Jones may snub right-back planTo Jones’ credit, he has regularly stated publicly that he will play wherever needed in order to get minutes for Liverpool.Despite that, the No. It could feasibly work for everybody.This would unquestionably not be Liverpool’s initial plan regarding their right-back situation this summer, but rather than taking an unpopular decision and moving Jones on, they could shift him around and minimise the work they need to do in the market as a result.Curtis may ultimately decide that he needs to play in midfield – and needs to be a regular starter – and as he will not be doing that at Liverpool, he could well leave in the coming months.